Ribbon spool assembly for typewriter or like machines



06h15, 1957 H. LAMBERT RIBBON SPOOL ASSEMBLY FOR TYPEWRITER OR LIKE MACHINES Filed Jan. ll, 1955 Sl F/G. 5

lllll I TNVENTOR HARRY L. LAMBERT /LJ ATTORNEYS nite States Binck RBBN SPL ASSEMBLY FR TYPEWREER R Lm MACEHES Harry L. Lambert, West Hartford, Conn., assigner to Reym McBee Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Appiication 'anuary 11, 1955, Serial No. 48L081 14 Ciairns. (Cl. 197-175) This invention relates to ribbon spool assemblies for typewriter or like machines, and more particularly to an improved and eflicient construction of mechanism including a spool carried element adapted to respond to unwindirn7 of ribbon from the spool :for operating a ribbon reversing mechanism.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of the kind referred to which is simple and constituted by a minimum number of parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the character stated including a leaf spring of novel and improved formation for cooperating with the spool carried responsive element for urging it to one of its positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction including a leaf spring formed integrally with or as part of a spool fiange, and which nevertheless is soft and resilient enough in its action and certain in its operation to insure that the spool mounted responsive element will be moved to its operating position for cooperation with the ribbon reversing mechanism when the ribbon has been unwound without, however, endangering the positioning of the responsive element for non-engagement with the ribbon reversing mechanism when a ribbon is wound upon the spool.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an elevational View `of a ribbon spool em- -bodying the invention, showing one end portion of a typewriter ribbon attached thereto;

Figure 2 is an elevational view showing right and lefthand ribbon spools of a typewriting machine, a typewriter ribbon being indicated in dot-dash-lines, and immediately associated typewriter parts being shown fragmentarily in section and in elevation, this view being on a reduced scale as compared to Figure l;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan View of the spool and ribbon shown in Figure l;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational View Iof part of the spool shown in Figures l Iand 3, drawn `on an enlarged scale, and showing ya trigger for operating a ribbon reversing mechanism in its operated or active position; and

Figure is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the trigger in its normal or idle position.

The drawings show two typewriter ribbon spools S, S, typewriter frame parts F, F, and two ribbon spool shafts or spindles 1, l. The shafts 1, l are shown `as being equipped with toothed or notched discs 2, 2 adapted to be operatively connected to parts on the ribbon spools S, S in the usual manner so that the spools may be driven by the shafts 1, l selectively, according to which of the shafts is driven by the typewriter mechanism. That is, a selected one ofthe shafts 1 is driven by the typewriter mechanism to wind ribbon upon the associated spool while the other shaft is free to turn to permit ribbon to be unwound from the spool mounted Ion the freely rotatable shaft. Also shown are parts 3, 3 included in the ribbon reversing mechanism which may be of known form, and which therefore is not illustrated completely.

The spools S, S may be of identical construction. Each spool S includes spaced upper and lower flanges 4 and 5 joined together in spaced relationship by arms extending from one flange to the other. In the form shown, three Iarms 6, 7 and 8 integral with the upper ange 4 are struck out from this flange and are bent downwardly. The lower ends of the arms 6, '7 and 8 have narrow parts extending through openings in the lower flange 5 and providing shoulders adapted to abut against the top of the lower ange 5. One such shoulder ia is `shown in each `of Figures 4 and 5. The 'arms 6 and 7 are provided with similar shoulders not designated by reference characters in the drawing.

The narrow lower end parts of the arms 6, 7 4and 8 which extend through registering openings in the lower flange 5 are formed with bifurcations 6b, 7b and Sb, respectively, which pnoject beyond or below the bottom flange 5. The two bifurcations of each pair of bifurcations iare bent oppositely to one another for securing the associated arm to the bottom flange 5. In this Way, the arms 6, 7 and 8 secure the anges 4 and 5 in spaced assembled relationship. The spool may be stifrened or braced by 'an arm 9 which is struck :out of the top flange 4 and bent downwardly to abut the bottom flange 5.

The bottom flange 5 is formed with a central opening 19 adapted to receive -a reduced part il -of the associated shaft or spindle t; and the top flange 4- is depressed or cupped and apertured to form Ia bearing part 12 which receives the upper end of the reduced shaft part 11. In this way, the spool may readily be mounted upon and removed from the associated shaft. Two ears 13, 13 strucl; out of the bottom flange 5 and bent downwardly are adapted to enter the notches Vor tooth interspaces'in the disc 2 on the associated shaft so as to cause the spool to be rotated when the shaft is driven.

The ribbon may be attached to the spool in any suitable manner, for example in either of the two ways disclosed in the patent to Hart, 2,486,473, granted No-' vember l, 1949. According to the more conventional method -of attachment of the ribbon, an end portion thereof is impaled upon one of a pair of prongs 6c formed on the arm 6. In a preferred method lof attaching the ribbon end to the spool, a looped ribbon end Ra is moved downwardly through an opening or cut-out 14 in the spool top 4iange 4 and is positioned over an anchoring post 15 which is struck out from the bottom flange 5 and bent upwardly so that its free upper end is positioned below the cut-out 14 and is thus unobstructed for permitting the ribbon looped end Ra easily to be slipped over the 'anchoring post t5. The cut-out i4 may conveniently be formed where the arm 9 is bent out of the flange 4 and extended downwardly to abut the bottom flange 5. The spool hub `structure is constituted by the arms connecting the flanges 4 and 5.

it is usual for typewriter or like machines to include mechanism responsive to unwinding of the ribbon completely or substantially completely from one of the ribbon spools for reversing the ribbon spool driving mechanism for causing the substantially exhausted spool to begin to function as a wind-up spool and to feed the ribbon in the opposite direction. The present invention provides an improved construction of and mounting for a trigger element T which responds to unwinding of the ribbon substantially completely from the spool for operating a control part of the ribbon drive reversing mechanism, such as one of the parts shown at 3 in Figure 2. The trigger element T is formed from a piece of sheet metal bent and twisted so as to include a ribbon engaging finger t6 extending alongside the hub structure, an actuating finger Vformed integrally with the spool bottomrfiange 5.

17 extending at an angle to the finger 15 and exteriorly of the ribbon spool, anda shaft i8 between the fingers 16 and 17 and having its ends mountedV in bearing openings 19 formed in ears 20 struck out from the bottom ange 5 and bent downwardly. The trigger T is mounted for rocking from anormal position, in which theribbon engaging finger 16 is engaged and held by the ribbon and the actuating finger 1'7V is in an idle position as shown in Figure in which it cannot engage the reversing mechanism part'3, to an operated position asshown in Figure 4 in Which the ribbon engaging finger is released by unwinding of the ribbon and the actuating finger 17 is in its operating position in which it is disposed to engage the ribbon Yreversing mechanism control part 3.

Animproved structure is provided for yieldably urging the trigger element T toward its operativeV position as shown in Figure 4. ln the form shown, the shaft 18 is formed with flat parts 13a, one of which is acted upon by a leaf spring 21 in a manner tending to rocl; the ele ment T counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 5 to the operated position shown in Figure 4. T he leaf spring 21 is generally of J shape and preferably is As clearlyshown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the spring 21 is struck 'out from the spool fiange 5 and has one of its ends integrally united at 2la with the flange 5, one portion 21b of the spring extending circumferentially of the spool flange 5 adjacent to its periphery and merging with a return-curve part 2.1 from which extends a free end part 21d. The spring free end part 21d presses against a pressure responsive part 13b on the trigger T for tending to rock the trigger from its normal position shown in Figure 5 to its operative position shown in Figure 4. The pressure responsive part'lSb is eccentric to the axis of the shaft 1S and is constituted by the upper left-hand edge of the flat part 18a as shown in Figuresrdf and 5.

When a spool is in normal use and is functioning as the supply spool from which ribbon is being'drawn to be fed along the typing line of the typewriter or other machine, the parts will be in the positions shown in Figure 5. The spring 21 will be pressing against the pressure responsive eccentric edge part 18h of the trigger shaftl so as to tend to rock the trigger counterclockwise to its Figure 4 position. However, as long as ribbon wound on the spool. hub structure is in engagement with the ribbon engaging finger 1,6, theV holding action of the ribbon itself will maintain the trigger in its normal position so that the actuating finger 17` will be in its raised position and will be incapableA of engaging the ribbon reversing control part 3. WhenY the ribbon has'been nearly exhausted from the spool, or drawn therefrom to the extent that the ribbon no longer engages the trigger finger le, the trigger is rendered free to be rocked from its operated position by the force Yexerted by the leaf spring 2i on the fiat part i3 of the/shaft 18, and more particularly on the pressure responsive edge 18C. The spring force will then rock the trigger T to the operated position shown in Figure 4 Vin which thertrigger finger 17 will be sufficiently low to engage the ribbon reversing controlV part 3 for operating the latter and the associated reversing mechanism, not shown, thereby to cause the spool from which ribbon was exhausted to be driven in the opposite direction and thus to become a take-up spool for drawing ribbon from the other spool. Y

The J-shaped leaf spring 21 is so formed and located that its longer leg extends generally circumferentiaiiy with respect to the spool, and its shorter leg extends generally reversely to the'longer leg 2lb and over the fiat part 18a of the trigger shaft 18. By virtue of this arrangement, a soft and very resilient spring of considerable extent is provided economically from the metal ofthe spool structure itself and is capable of providing the required light but nevertheless certain bias on the trigger T.

The construction shown embodies the invention in a preferred form, but it is intended that the disclosure be illustrative rather than definitive, the invention being defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a flange and a hub structure; a trigger comprising a ribbon engageaole finger, an actuating finger and a shaft having a substantially fiat portion; means on said spool engaging said shaft and mounting sai-:l trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable finger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable linger is released by un winding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring having one end part fixed with respect to said spool and another part engaging the substantially fiatV portion of said shaft for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

2. ln a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a flange and a hub structureya trigger comprising a ribbon engageable finger, an actuating finger and a shaft between said fingers and having a substantially fiat portion; means on said spool engaging said shaft and vmounting said trigger to rockV from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable finger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable finger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring having one end part fixed with respect to said spool and another part engaging the substantially fiat portion of said shaft for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

3. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a ange and a hub structure; a trigger comprising a ribbon engageabie finger, an actuating finger and a shaft having a substantially flat portion; means on said spool engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger with said ribbon engaging finger extending alongside said hub structure and said actuating finger projecting exteriorly of said ange, said mounting means enabling said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable finger is disposed to be engaged and held byribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable finger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring having one end part xed with respect to said spool and another part engaging the substantially fiat portion of said yshaft for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

4. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a flange and a hub structure; a trigger formed of a single piece of sheet metal and cornprising a ribbon engageable finger, an actuating finger and a shaft having aY substantially .flat portion; means on said spool engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable finger is disposed to be engagedl and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in'which said ribbon engageable finger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a Vleaf spring havingY one end part fixed With respect to said spool and another part engaging the substantially at portion of said shaftfor Yyieldably urging said trigger to its operated position. t

5. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a flange andra hub structure; a trigger comprising a ribbon engageable finger, an actuating nger and a shaft having a substantially at portion; means on said spool engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable finger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable nger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring formed integrally with a part of said spool and having a part engaging the substantially at portion of said shaft for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

6. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a sheet metal ange and a hub structure; a trigger comprising a ribbon engageable linger, an actuating finger and a shaft having a substantially at portion; means on said spool engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable finger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable finger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating nger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring struck out of said flange and having one end part integral with said ange and another part engaging the substantially at portion of said shaft for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

7. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a ange and a hub structure; a trigger comprising a ribbon engageable finger, an actuating finger and a shaft having a substantially flat portion; means on said spool engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable finger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable linger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring having one end fixed with respect to said flange adjacent the periphery thereof, a first portion extending generally circumferentially of said flange, a return-curve portion, and a free end portion extending generally reversely to said first portion and engaging the substantially flat portion of said shaft for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

8. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a flange and a hub structure; a trigger comprising a ribbon engageable finger, an actuating iinger and a shaft having a substantially llat portion; means on said spool engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable linger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable nger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring generally of J shape having the end of its longer leg fixed with respect to said flange and having its shorter leg engaging the substantially at portion of said shaft for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

9. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a sheet metal flange and a hub structure; a trigger comprising a ribbon engageable finger, an actuating iinger and a shaft having a `substantially flat portion; means on said spool engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable nger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating linger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable nger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating linger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring generally of J shape struck out of said tiange, the end of the longer leg of said spring being integrally united to said flange and said longer leg extending circumferentially with respect to said flange, and the shorter leg of said spring extending generally reversely to said longer leg and engaging the substantially fiat portion of said shaft for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

Y l0. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a sheet metal flange and a hub structure; a trigger having a ribbon engageable iin-ger, an actuating finger, a shaft between said fingers, and a pressure responsive part eccentric to the shaft axis; means engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable finger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable iinger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring struck out of said flange and having one end part integral with said flange and another part pressing against said pressure responsive part for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

ll. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool ycomprising a ange and a hub structure; a trigger having a ribbon engageable finger, an actuating finger, a shaft between said fingers, and a pressure responsive part eccentric to the shaft axis; means engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable finger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating linger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable finger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring having one end fixed with respect to said liange adjacent the periphery thereof, a first portion extending -generally circumferentially of said flange, a return-curve portion, and a free end portion extending generally reversely to said first portion and bearing on said pressure responsive part for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

12. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a iiange and a hub structure; a trigger having a ribbon engageable finger, an actuating linger, a shaft between said ngers, and a pressure responsive part eccentric to the shaft axis; means engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon engageable linger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable nger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from said hub structure and said actuating finger is disposed in operative position; and a leaf spring generally of J shape having the end of its longer leg xed with respect to said ange and having its shorter leg pressing against said pressure responsive part for yieldably urging said trigger to its operated position.

13. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly, a spool comprising a sheet metal flange and `a hub structure; a trigger having a ribbon engageable linger, an actuating linger, a shaft between said fingers, and a pressure responsive part eccentric to the shaft axis; means engaging said shaft and mounting said trigger to rock from a normal position in which said ribbon en-v gageable finger is disposed to be engaged and held by ribbon wound on said hub structure and said lactuating nger is disposedY in idle position to an operated position in which said ribbon engageable finger is released by unwinding of the ribbon from'said hub structure and said Yactuating Ylinger is disposed inoperative position; and a leaf spring generally of J shape struck out of said flange, the end of the longer leg of said spring rbeing integrally united to said flange and said longer leg extending circumferentially of said ange and inside the periphery thereof, and the shorter leg of said spring extending generally reversely to said longer leg and pressing against said pressure responsive part for yieldably urgingV said trigger to its operated position.

14. In a typewriter or like machine ribbon spool assembly,ltwo spaced anges, one of which is formed with a plurality of openings; and `a hub structure constituted by a plurality of arms formed integrally with the other of said flanges and having bifurcated end portions respectively projecting through andbeyond said openings, the parts of said Vbifurcations of atleast certain of said end portions which project beyond the associated openings in said one of said flanges respectively being bent oppositely for securing said arms to said one of said flanges.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED' STATES PATENTS Hart Nov. l, Y 

